GEORGE TOWN (Aug 9, 2010): Not all of the federal guidelines recently devised to govern the burgeoning bird nests industry would be applicable for Penang, local government committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said today.

He said the state authorities had the prerogative to adopt portions of the guidelines that were appropriate to the unique circumstances of the respective states.

The two municipal councils — the Penang Island and Seberang Perai municipal councils (MPPP and MPSP) — would hold a meeting later this month to review the guidelines’ suitability for the state, particularly on the issue of allowing such activities in urban and heritage areas.

“We will then make a stand on the matter to the National Council for Local Governments during its meeting later this year,” Chow said at the Penang state local government’s forum at the Caring Society Complex here.

He lamented that local stakeholders such as heritage groups, the state government and residents, who are likely to be affected by the breeding of swiftlets in their neighbourhoods, were not consulted during the formulation of the guidelines.

“But the Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) was consulted. They were made members of committee to make the guidelines. They are also put in the technical committees to approve applications (for birdnest farming). This is a conflict of interestm” he said.

Chow warned that the state could take action against operators who start business in new premises while the moratorium for existing premise operators to move out of residential areas by the end of the year is in place.

ASNI president Carole Loh said the association was not in the technical committees to participate in the approval process.

“We are not there to approve. We are there to provide information so as to make informed decisions,” she said.

She also said the MPPP had a representative present at a meeting in Putrajaya when the draft of the guidelines was being deliberated on.

Meanwhile, Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) president Mokhtar Mohd Jait said there were numerous illegal buildings to house bird nests sprouting up in rural areas, including in farms.

The Sun - By Himanshu Bhatt – 09 Aug 2010
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=50483